Different Types of Marriage

There are several different types of marriage in existence today. Before you tie the knot, you should take the time to research what the different types are so that you and your partner can make the right choice about your union.

According to the Marriage Act of 1961, there are three different types of legal marriage.

In Community of Property

This form of marriage means that all assets owned by the couple form a join estate and both parties are liable for any debt incurred by either party during the marriage. Sometimes it is possible to exclude certain assets from the joint estate, but this is very limited.

Out of Community of Property

In this form of marriage, parties sign an ante-nuptial agreement which means that each party retains sole ownership of his or her own assets, and sole responsibility for his or her own debts.

Out of Community of Property with Accural

In this type of marriage, the parties also sign an ante-nuptial contract to protect any assets they own before the marriage. However, any assets and profits generated during the marriage are shared by the couple.

A shift in the meaning of marriage

A monogamous, heterosexual marriage with a male breadwinner, a female home maker, based on a religious premise and that aims to bring children into the world was once thought of as the traditional, ‘normative’ marital union.

However, over the years there have been many challenges to this idea. Homosexual marriage, free love in the 60s, divorce and other occurrences have brought about a new way of living and a new, varied look at marriage. According to a 2006 Census Bureau report, the majority of marriages in the western world are no longer based on the traditional idea of what marriage is.

According to popular blog “A Libertine’s Thoughts”, marriage can be categorised into twenty different groups, some of which can overlap. Some of these are illegal in several countries.

Monogamy

This is the most common of this list of marriage. Monogamy is where two people marry each other and cannot marry anyone else while they are still married.

Polygyny

The practice of polygyny is the most common type of polygamy and is where one man takes several wives at the same time.

Polyandry

Polyandry is where one woman takes several different husbands at once.

Polyamory

This practice is where both partners in the relationship have more than one sexual or relational partner. Polyamory focuses on loving and committing to more than one person at the same time rather than just sexual relationships with more than one person.

Polyfidelity

Polyfidelity is a form of polyamory that is limited to a certain group of people.

Same sex marriage

This is monogamous marriage between two people of the same sex. Unfortunately it is illegal in many countries throughout the world.

Open marriage

An open marriage is one where both partners agree that they may have outside sexual partners.

Common law marriage

This is also known as ‘cohabitation’ and is recognised in many places in the world.

Group marriage

This is a form of polyamory where each member is equally married to all the other members.

Boston marriage

This is an archaic term referring to two women who are presumed to be in a lesbian relationship and who live together and interact in public as a couple.

Levirate marriage

Levirate marriage is where a woman marries one of her husband’s brothers once her husband has died.

Sororate marriage

This is where a man remarries his wife’s sister after she has died or has been proved infertile.

Endogamy

This practice limits marriages to certain race or class groups.

Exogamy

This is the opposite of the above.

Mixed marriage

This is a marriage between people from different religions, races etc.

Arranged marriage

This is a marriage that is arranged for someone by their parents or other parties.

Egalitarian marriage

This is a monogamous, mixed sex marriage between two people who consider themselves equals and do not pander to traditional gender roles.

Complementarian marriage

This is a marriage where the man and women take on traditional gender roles.

Covenant marriage

The only grounds for divorce in this sort of marriage are abuse, adultery and one of the spouses being convicted of a felony.

After death marriage

In France, a living person may marry a dead person of the opposite sex once that person has passed away.